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rhapsody

 - 4 dictionary results

rhap⋅so⋅dy

[rap-suh-dee]
–noun, plural -dies.
1. Music. an instrumental composition irregular in form and suggestive of improvisation.
2. an ecstatic expression of feeling or enthusiasm.
3. an epic poem, or a part of such a poem, as a book of the Iliad, suitable for recitation at one time.
4. a similar piece of modern literature.
5. an unusually intense or irregular poem or piece of prose.
6. Archaic. a miscellaneous collection; jumble.

Origin:
1535–45; < L rhapsōdia < Gk rhapsōidía recital of epic poetry, equiv. to rhapsōid(ós) rhapsodist + -ia -y 3
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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rhap·so·dy   (rāp'sə-dē)   
n.   pl. rhap·so·dies
  1. Exalted or excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling in speech or writing.

  2. A literary work written in an impassioned or exalted style.

  3. A state of elated bliss; ecstasy.

  4. Music A usually instrumental composition of irregular form that often incorporates improvisation.

  5. An ancient Greek epic poem or a portion of one suitable for uninterrupted recitation.


[Latin rhapsōdia, section of an epic poem, from Greek rhapsōidiā, from rhapsōidein, to recite poems : rhaptein, rhaps-, to sew; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots + aoidē, ōidē, song; see wed-2 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

rhapsody 
1542, "epic poem," from M.Fr. rhapsodie, from L. rhapsodia, from Gk. rhapsoidia "verse composition," from rhapsodios "reciter of epic poems," from rhaptein "to stitch" (see wrap) + oide "song." Meaning "exalted enthusiastic feeling or expression" is from 1639. Meaning "sprightly musical composition" is first recorded 1850s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

Rhapsody operating system
Apple Computer, Inc.'s next-generation operating system for PowerPC processor-based systems capable of running Mac OS. Rhapsody includes four components: the Core OS, the Blue Box (the implementation of the Mac OS within Rhapsody), the Yellow Box, and the Advanced Mac Look and Feel.
"Rhapsody for Intel" runs on Intel processors [which ones?]. It includes the Core OS, the Yellow Box, and the Advanced Mac Look and Feel, but lacks the Blue Box and therefore is unable to run Mac OS software.
"Rhapsody Developer Release" is a developer-only release of Rhapsody, scheduled for release in late 1997. It will go to all members of the Macintosh Developer Program and the Apple Media Program worldwide who have signed nondisclosure agreements.
"Rhapsody Premier Release" will be the second release of Rhapsody, scheduled for early 1998. It is meant for early adopters and will include a partially finished human interface and a partial implementation of the Blue Box.
"Rhapsody Unified Release" will be the third release, scheduled for mid-1998. It will be the first public release, and it will include the first full implementation of the Rhapsody human interface and the Blue Box.
FAQ.
(1997-10-15)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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